I know it is just for fun Rolf, but people don't always read what is mentioned the comment was only to prevent a heavy discussion, maybe people start to think we want to change the rules because of this wing on the A.
It is by the way not new that this is tried out on the A class there was a Swiss guy i think in 1988, who did try it. But it did not work, weight and trimming was a big problem and special on the downwind leg. I hope Ben will sail it at the worlds so i have a better look at it.
Regards,
Hans
Every few years someone comes out with a wing. Given the advancement in sail and mast materials, the added advantage of a solid foil has to be much less than it used to be. The other issue is that to gain the full advantage of this type of addition (also holds true for foils, but even more so) the other limiting factors of the box rule like beam and length really hinder the true potential of the feature.
Intial test have shown the wing is faster in certain conditions and cretain point s of sail. It is also more difficult to set up, some more expensive and restricts the boat even more in what conditions it can be used. Ben will have it at Worlds. Over a wide range of conditions I do not feel it is flexible enough to anything more than a very large topic of discussion at the event. Long term the class will continue as it has in the past.
My $.02,(.005 Euro) but it interesting to watch .
Matt
